City in New Jersey declares ‘Iglesia Ni Cristo Day’

Mayor J. Christian Bollwage read the proclamation on the steps of City Hall, with some ministers and members of the INC present. CONTRIBUTED

ELIZABETH, New Jersey – The City of Elizabeth declared July 27 “Iglesia Ni Cristo Day” to mark the Philippine religious organization’s 107^th anniversary.

Mayor J. Christian Bollwage read the proclamation on the steps of City Hall, with some ministers and members of the INC present.

“What this church has done by encouraging the young people of the church to work on cleanups throughout the community is how important it is to have a safe and clean environment in which you live, work and attend church,” Bollwage stated, according to INC’s public information office.

INC’s local congregation in Elizabeth, New Jersey, started in July 1977. It has held various community outreach events over the years—Aid to Humanity events, INC Giving activities—and recently, a tree planting activity and blood donation drive.

Later in the evening of July 27, in the New Jersey state capital of Trenton, the Lower Trenton Bridge was lit up in green, white, and red in honor of the INC anniversary.

The Iglesia Ni Cristo was first registered in the Philippines on July 27, 1914 by its first Executive Minister, Brother Felix Y. Manalo. After 107 years, it has spread to 158 countries and territories with its members belonging to 147 nationalities and races.